Spaceman Storage

If you own a business, then you can use a self-storage unit as an impromptu showroom to allow your customers to see what you have available.

If your unit is large enough, adopt an M-shaped storage plan. Position large pieces against the side and back walls, place mid-sized pieces next, put boxes and small items down the center, and leave two narrow aisles for access.

Every time you store anything for a long period of time, there’s a possibility of bugs and dust, even in self storage. Fortunately, you can take precautions by wrapping belongings like furniture in industrial plastic wrap to keep out the bugs.

One of the best ways to maximize your space is to fill furniture once it’s in place. Stack boxes on book shelves, put fragile items inside wardrobes, and stash pillows and bedding inside the washer and dryer.

Do you own more stuff than open space in your home or apartment? Store some of your belongings in a self storage unit. That way, you open up more room in your home and can still get to those items in storage any time you want.

Don’t forget to use the vertical space efficiently and well. Prop mattresses and table tops against the wall, stand sofas and long sectionals on end, nest stacking chairs and place upholstered chairs seat to seat.

Packing your vinyl record collection for storage? Experts recommend you use sturdy compact boxes (12 x 12 x 12 inches). Pad the box bottom and sides, leave records in the cardboard jacket and stand the jackets on edge rather than stacking them.

I have a few things that don’t fit in a home, but I don’t need a big storage unit. You may be surprised at the different sizes of storage units available, many of them much smaller than the units you see on TV reality shows.

Self storage businesses are fairly new additions to the business landscape. Industry experts say the first facility appeared in 1958 in Fort Lauderdale, FL, although the industry did not boom immediately. That occurred beginning in 2000, when more than 3,000 new self storage facilities opened for six consecutive years in the U.S.

Planning on putting some chairs in your storage unit? Invert the chairs so they’re stored “seat to seat,” especially if they’re light. There’s also space between the legs both below them and on top of them for small boxes, which will help brace the legs.

If you’re storing mattresses and upholstered furniture for any length of time, consider investing in special protective covers. They help guard against accidental dings during a move and prevent upholstery from absorbing dust during storage.

Space is at a premium for most small companies. If you have in-store advertising signs and posters and racks that are only used for yearly inventory sales, for example, finding a place to store them can be a challenge. With self storage units, those materials can be safely stored away without taking up any valuable space in your business.